China.org.cn | August 16, 2024
Speaker:
Mr. Liu Bingjiang, chief engineer of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and director general of the Department of Atmospheric Environment of the MEE
Chairperson:
Mr. Xie Yingjun, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
Dec. 11, 2023
Xie Yingjun:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this regular policy briefing held by the State Council. Recently, the State Council issued the Action Plan for Continuous Improvement of Air Quality. To help you better understand the relevant details, we have invited Mr. Liu Bingjiang, chief engineer of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and director general of the Department of Atmospheric Environment of the MEE, to introduce the details of the action plan and answer your questions.
Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Liu for his introduction.
Liu Bingjiang:
Thank you. I would first like to express my gratitude for your concern and support for our work on the prevention and control of air pollution. I am very pleased to be here today to introduce the Action Plan for Continuous Improvement of Air Quality. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council attach great importance to air pollution prevention and control. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that the blue skies initiative is a priority in the battle against pollution. Focusing on key areas, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas, the Yangtze River Delta and the Fenwei Plain, we should strive for synergy between emissions reduction of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides, and further reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter. We should take comprehensive measures to speed up the elimination of serious air pollution and protect our beautiful blue skies. To thoroughly implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the MEE, in collaboration with 25 other departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Transport, jointly formulated the Action Plan for Continuous Improvement of Air Quality, which was issued by the State Council on Nov. 30. This marks the country's third action plan of this kind, following the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan and the Three-Year Action Plan to Win the Battle for a Blue Sky. The main content of this new plan can be summarized into "four clarifications."
First, the overall approach has been clarified. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the action plan rigorously implements the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, comprehensively applies Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, and aligns with the directives set forth at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection. It adheres to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. With this action plan, we will make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development and boost economic growth. Its core objectives are to improve air quality, address severe air environmental issues affecting people, and reduce PM2.5 concentrations. The action plan vigorously promotes the reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides and VOCs, emphasizing precise, scientific and law-based pollution control. It includes both near- and long-term strategies for air pollution prevention and control, and solidly promotes green and low-carbon transitions in industry, energy and transportation, aiming to achieve a win-win situation for environmental, economic and social benefits.
Second, the improvement targets have been clarified. The action plan aligns with the requirements outlined in the national 14th Five-Year Plan and key policy directives such as the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Intensifying the Pollution Prevention and Control Efforts. It states that by 2025, the concentration of PM 2.5 pollutants should decrease by 10% in cities at or above the prefectural level; the proportion of days with heavy pollution and worse conditions should be controlled to within 1%; and total emissions of nitrogen oxides and VOCs should both decrease by more than 10%. The action plan also optimizes and adjusts the key regions for air pollution prevention and control and sets improvement targets for each. It requires PM2.5 concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas and the Fenwei Plain to decrease by 20% and 15% respectively, and for the Yangtze River Delta region to meet the overall standard. In Beijing, the PM2.5 concentration should be controlled within 32 micrograms per cubic meter.
Third, the key tasks have been clarified. The action plan identifies nine key tasks: optimizing the industrial structure to promote the green upgrading of industrial products; enhancing the energy structure for accelerating clean, low-carbon and efficient energy development; improving the transportation structure to develop a robust green transportation system; strengthening non-point source pollution control and refining management techniques; intensifying the reduction of multiple pollutants to significantly lower emission levels; enhancing institutional frameworks to better manage air quality; bolstering capacity building for rigorous enforcement and supervision; updating the legal and regulatory framework to support environmental economic policies; and engaging all stakeholders in a nationwide effort to fulfill these responsibilities.
Fourth, the allocation of responsibilities has been clarified. The action plan emphasizes the importance of strengthening organizational leadership, upholding and enhancing the Party's overarching leadership over air pollution prevention and control, and holding local governments at all levels accountable for air quality within their jurisdictions. Strict supervision and assessments will be carried out, with the completion of air quality improvement targets serving as an important indicator in evaluating the effectiveness of the battle against pollution. Nationwide action will be implemented, mobilizing all sectors of society to actively participate in air environmental protection and jointly improve air quality.
That concludes my overview of the action plan. I am now happy to answer questions you may have. Thank you.
